"The legal maneuvers by opponents of the DM&E project crossed the foul line. While attorneys sue, communities like Huron have to wait another day for the jobs and opportunity that the DM&E project will bring," said Huron Mayor David McGirr. "We respect landowners' right to due process, but their attorneys, working with opponents in Rochester, are using manipulative practices for the sake of delay. We have waited long enough and urge the Transportation Commission to keep this process moving forward."

The DM&E's project would extend its line 260 from Wall, SD, to Wyoming's Powder River Basin, and rehabilitate another 600 miles of track through South Dakota and Minnesota. The upgraded line would utilize the most modern technologies, creating a more efficient and safer railroad to haul current products, such as grain, ethanol and Bentonite clay, as well as cleaner-burning coal for electricity generation.

 "The DM&E project holds incredible economic development potential for cities on its line," said Philip Mayor John Hart. "Our towns and rural America are hungry for this type of development. The DM&E project would breath new life into our communities and give us the opportunity to attract jobs that will keep our young families here for another generation. We hope our leaders in Pierre realize this and reject further attempts to delay."

DM&E has successfully negotiated deals or is working with over 60 percent of the impacted landowners in the expansion portion of the $6 billion project. The railroad has offered to work with all landowners and would only use eminent domain as a last resort.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007